The Health Licensing Office (HLO) Is Currently Authorizing Provisional Authorizations To Practice Respiratory Therapy To Individuals Whose License Is Inactive Or Expired -01/11/23

January 11, 2023

Contact: Erica Heartquist, (503) 871-8843, PHD.Communications@dhsoha.state.or.us

The Health Licensing Office (HLO) is currently authorizing provisional authorizations to practice respiratory therapy to individuals whose license is inactive or expired

What: Due to the surge in respiratory infections, including but not limited to RSV, influenza, and COVID-19 in Oregon. On Nov. 15 Executive Order 22-24 declaring a state of emergency was put in place to address the shortage in healthcare workers.

HLO is currently issuing provisional authorizations to practice respiratory therapy to individuals whose license is inactive or expired. 

To qualify and individual must have had an active license with HLO as a respiratory therapist within the past five years and were in good standing at the time the respiratory therapist’s license became inactive or expired.

Send an email to hlo.info@odhsoha.oregon.gov with the following information:

1. In the subject line of all emails: RT Inactive or Expired– Name of Respiratory Therapist.
2. A completed Authorization Holder Information Update Form.
3. A copy (front and back) of current photographic federal or state identification. Do not cut out the photos, leave them on a full-size piece of paper.
4. Documentation demonstrating a request to provide services by an Office-recognized public health organization, an Emergency Medical Service agency, a county, state or federal entity as the result of the declared state of emergency. This documentation may include, but is not limited to, a letter or email from a hospital or county health department.
5. Provide payment information for a $50 authorization fee.

Once the Office receives and verifies all required documentation, an email response will be sent directly to the respiratory therapist from an Office representative approving them to practice until the termination date of the declared disaster or emergency.

If you have any questions related to licensing contact:

Dee Humphries, Licensing Qualification Specialist

(503) 934-5009

dee.l.humphries@dhsoha.state.or.us

Kyle Bivens, Licensing Qualification Specialist

(503) 373-1740

kyle.bivens@dhsoha.state.or.us

For questions regarding the press release, contact Samie Patnode at samie.patnode@dhsoha.state.or.us or at (503) 373-1917.

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